Team
Position Number: P00061
Directorate: Environment and Planning Services
Service: Environmental Compliance Service
Location: Katoomba Office
Position
Classification:
Band 11
Date
Created/Updated
9 December 2025
POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE
Leading improved community outcomes and environmental standards in the City of Blue
Mountains through regulation and monitoring activities and the development of operational
programmes, policy and educational activities that contributes to a sustainable future for
the Blue Mountains in line with the City Strategy.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to (Position Title): Program Ledear – Health and Compliance
Report to (Position Number): P00017
Staff Responsibility: Up to 6 direct reports
Key Internal Relationships: Investigation Officers, TownPlanners,
Environmental Health & Building Surveyors,
Engineers, Environmental Scientists, Landscape
Assessors, Technical Assistants and Customer
Service staff.
Key External Relationships: Residents and other members of the community;
Government authorities, applicants for
development, consultants, Council's legal
advisors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Apply high level, specialist knowledge to undertake investigations into breaches of
legislation including, but not limited to the Environmental Planning and Assessment
Act, Protection of the Environment and Operations Act, and the Local Government
Act.
* Provide mentorship and training to less qualified staff to take a lead role in the more
significant investigations and routinely undertake pro-active aspects of development
monitoring.
* Develop and Implement systems to improve performance monitoring of land use,
building, health and environmental protection issues in the Blue Mountains.
* Provide coordination for and represent Council in legal proceedings, including the
preparation of legal evidence on behalf of Council, in liaison with Council solicitors.
* Ensure a coordinated and informed approach to compliance management in Council
by working with other areas of Council and parties external to Council.
* Continually improve the work practices and procedures of the Team.
* Develop and implement education strategies for Council staff to improve the quality
of skills and decision making capacity in relation to work carried out by the team.
* Provide guidance and leadership to other officers in relation to land use and building
standards.
* Review the performance of team members and provide support and coaching to
improve overall team performance.
* Manage relationships and workflow between the Development Monitoring Team and
other parts of Council to ensure that customers are provided with a seamless service
including advising customers of regulatory requirements and responsibilities as
appropriate.
* Analyse individual performance and contribution to team goals, provide feedback to
support, reinforce strengths and identify areas for improvement.
Guiding Principles
* We act as one organisation responding to the changing needs of our LGA and
community
* We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and
focus
* We are service focused & we continuously improve service provision and provide
excellent customer service
* We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes
* We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and
culture
* We are a financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best
value resource allocation
These Guidelines complement the Council's adopted Values of: Work Together; Work
Safe Home safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and,
Supporting Community.
Workplace Health & Safety
Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to: identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.
You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required
at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.
Compliance & Risk
You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities
as described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the
ERM Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported
in a timely manner.
In undertaking your work should you identify contaminated land or potentially
contaminated land, including but not limited to Asbestos contamination you are required
to notify your supervisor immediately.
COMMUNICATION
The person will communicate with a wide range of people in a variety of internal and
external settings. The person will receive, interpret, and act upon written and verbal
information, and provide a response in both written and verbal forms. The person will need
to be able to lead discussion, carry out negotiations and make presentations in areas of
functional responsibility. The role will require persons to represent and clearly articulate
Council's position in negotiations and discussions with external parties and organisations.
JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING
This position has a high level of independence in using judgement and resolving problems
with minimal guidance. Problems can be multi-faceted requiring detailed analysis of a
range of available options to solve issues where solutions are not clear cut. This will
require the person to have a thorough knowledge of matters that affect land use
management in the Blue Mountains as well as possessing an extensive knowledge of
relevant legislation and Council policies. The person in this position will need to develop
and review workflow procedures to ensure timely, accurate and consistent approaches
are undertaken within activities connected to the functional areas of the position. The
oversight of problem solving and assessment of the quality of judgements made by less
qualified staff will apply.
Judgement and problem solving at this level carries significant responsibility and
professional liability and the Council and customers rely on its quality and accuracy. The
position will be required to manage complex matters and determine legal approaches after
considering technical, legal and policy requirements.
AUTHORITY
1. Delegation to act as an authorised officer to undertake a wide range of tasks and duties
on behalf of Council in accordance with relevant legislation applicable to the functional
areas of responsibility for the position. The person will also undertake a professional
advisory role to people within or outside of Council. Decisions and advice may commit
the council and have a significant impact upon external parties dealing with council.
1. Effective management and supervision of staff within the team including associated
staff leave, recruitment and performance management and review authorisations.
SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
ESSENTIAL
Qualifications
* Degree qualification or advanced diploma in either:
* Town planning;
* Environmental Health, Environmental Management or Environmental Science;
* Building Surveying; or,
* Policing or Government Investigations.
* Current NSW Class C Drivers License or equivalent
Job Knowledge
* Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutes and codes; and applied
knowledge and personal experience across a range of regulatory, development and
building certification issues including structural performance, unauthorised
development, public health and environmental management issues.
Communication
* Experience in communicating complex issues clearly and credibly with widely varied
audiences. Proactive feedback and use of appropriate communication medium to gain
timely / quality outcomes for Council, client and the community.
Visioning and strategic direction
* Experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on operational
plans for the team / business unit that will result in continuous improvement to services.
Team work and collaboration
* Experience in managing team operations to ensure that the activities undertaken
achieve the quality and sustainable outcomes in a timely manner.
Analytical thinking
* Experience in synthesising information from many sources, including experts, in order
to understand a problem/situation and proactively resolve the issue to prevent
unnecessary escalation.
Developing others
* Experience in building a strong team that capitalises on differences in diversity,
encourages constructive discussion and focuses on organisational objectives / service
standards and continuous improvement.
Personal accountability
* Experience in taking ownership of the area of responsibility to drive work programmes
to achieve timely / quality results and actively managing politically sensitive issues to
prevent unnecessary escalation.
DESIRABLE
* Experience in a role directly involving the investigation of breaches of legislation in a
local government setting.